Gladhand with dirt protection plug

Abstract

A combination gladhand and dirt protection plug for use in gladhand coupling applications, for example with a tractor and/or trailer. There is a gladhand body with an air inlet and an air outlet. A seal member is positioned at the air outlet and there is a chamber in the body connecting the inlet and the outlet. A dirt protection plug is positioned within the chamber and there is a handle for moving it reciprocally or coaxially in the chamber between positions opening and closing communication between said inlet and outlet. The dirt protection plug carries a nose portion which penetrates the outlet seal in the closed position of the gladhand to prevent dirt and other foreign matter from entering the gladhand body chamber. The dirt protection plug carries a closing seal which is in sealing engagement with the chamber walls to close communication between the inlet and outlet in the closed position of the plug.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows: 
     
       1. A combination gladhand and dirt protection plug for use in gladhand coupling applications including a gladhand body having an air inlet and an air outlet, a seal member positioned to said air outlet, a chamber in said body connecting said inlet and outlet, a dirt protection plug in said chamber and an exterior handle for moving it between positions opening and closing communication between said inlet and outlet, said dirt protection plug carrying a nose portion which penetrates said outlet seal in the closed position and is in peripheral contact therewith to prevent dirt and other foreign matter from entering said chamber, closing seal means to close communication between said inlet and outlet in the closed position of said plug including spaced seal rings carried by said plug and in sealing engagement with said chamber wall, said spaced seal rings being positioned on opposite sides of said air inlet when said plug is in the closed position, vent passage means in said plug connecting opposite ends thereof to relieve pressure upon said plug during movement thereof, said vent passage means extending to an area behind said one of said seal rings closest to said nose and the exterior of said dirt protection plug to relieve back pressure thereupon. 
     
     
       2. The gladhand of claim 1 further characterized in that said handle includes an eccentric extending outwardly from said handle and into driving engagement with said dirt protection plug, said handle being non-coaxially arranged relative to said plug. 
     
     
       3. The gladhand of claim 1 further characterized in that said handle is positioned exteriorly of said gladhand body for moving said dirt protection plug, said handle being coaxially arranged relative to said plug.